After being my daily driver for over 35 years, I began reducing  the driving time in my '66 around 2000.  It never broke down in over 500k miles. 

A couple of years ago I installed a FiTech FI with an in-line fuel pump. (the engine died going up a driveway with less than 3/4 of a tank)    I was on my way to my mechanic to have it fixed, and the engine died.  Unknown to me the fuel filter was clogged due to grit in the new gas tank.   I had to have it towed to the mechanic.    Fixed the problem, but I have been spooked ever since.  Now it has one of their Control Center's, where the electric fuel pump is in a canister under the hood.  Works perfectly.   I'm afraid to take it more than about 20 miles from home, though, for fear of something bad happening.  

In addition, my daily driver is a '15 GT/auto.  It is smooth, quiet, powerful, great gas mileage, and a dream to drive.  Why get into the rattley, noisy hot rod.  But when I do get in, I love driving it.  I keep telling myself I need to drive it more.

Covid19 has also done a number on my driving.  In 2020 I probably drove less than 5000 miles in all my cars.

Toploader wrote:

lowercasesteve wrote:

I'm afraid to take it more than about 20 miles from home, though, for fear of something bad happening.  

This is why I have kept mine relatively basic and mostly original. I was planning to do stuff like fuel injection, but decided I will keep the carburettor for simplicity. I went right through my car and restored everything. Technically, it is a brand new car. If something breaks, I would treat the situation like I would if it were a new car and call a tow truck to get it home and then fix whatever broke and away I go again.
My car is great to drive and I try to drive it as much as I can.

This is why I'm such a fan of factory based systems like Fords EECIV.  You get factory engineering and troubleshooting in a system deemed reliable enough to be used for a decade on millions of vehicles.  The aftermarket just can't compete with that.
 

As a famous person once told me, get AAA or towing option on insurance.

Now get out there and put some well earned miles on your classic.
If it breaks, fix it, repeat as needed. 😁
No different than a new car.

Last edited by Nos681 (3/27/2021 9:47 AM)

Cab4word67 wrote:

I don't watch the miles much but I got 10K in 5 years on the stock engine after becoming a Mustang owner. Made 3 trips up to Montana.  And I have put 60 miles on this newly rebuilt motor before I undecidedly am rebuilding it again. If we make the trip to the Bash this year I will get a nice start of 5K just Intime for summer fun. I like driving mine and that's why I added AC, PS, new seats etc. Oregon license fees cost was a one time deal at $35.00 for life  for the classics and they don't enforce it. In fact there is a 62 pickup running around all year, every year as a painters truck and he has never been stopped. So when this engine get back together it will be DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE

You will get the engine figured out. I too add AC and new seats for my driving pleasure. Keep at and come to the Bash anyway you can. It's the people first, the vehicle second.

Nos681 wrote:

As a famous person once told me, get AAA or towing option on insurance.

Now get out there and put some well earned miles on your classic.
If it breaks, fix it, repeat as needed. 😁
No different than a new car.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Just maintain and keep it simple, it shouldn't let you down, but if it does just repair and go on your merry way.

Jwarley wrote:

Every week around 50 miles, usually for pizza Friday in Waller w/Steve & Glen Buzek 😋

Whaaat? I don't remember getting an invite.

Jwarley wrote:

Every week around 50 miles, usually for pizza Friday in Waller w/Steve & Glen Buzek 😋
Sunday’s are cruise night probably another 15 miles w/some occasional shows. 
Just a bit over 20k after 5 bashes since up & running about 6 years ago.

Good on you! That's a fair amount of driving and you are making good memories with the car. Much better than letting it just sit and leak oil!

Well, I more than doubled the mileage on my car today!  I got it driveable right before winter and was able to put 5 miles on it up and down my street before it went into winter hibernation.

It was a beautiful sunny day today so I gave it it's first real test drive of any substance and now have a total of 15 miles on the car!  I would call the first test drive a success. Nothing fell off the car, no strange noises, clunks or banging, it didn't spew any fluids anywhere, the brakes seem to work well, the temp gauge stayed right at 195 and it made it home without issue under its own power!

Bearing Bob wrote:

Jeff in GA wrote:

The last time I went on a good drive with it was up Hwy 1 toward Big Sur/Carmel. Maybe I'll do that again once the slip-out from the Winter storms is re-built and the road is re-opened.

That is such a beautiful drive. My favorite so far.

 
BOTH you fellas should know.........attend 3-in-a-row and you get to Host one!!!

I think Carmel/Monterey is probably alot what heaven's gonna look like!
One of my 'fav' places....
6s6